A bloodied Tim Tszyu has been cruelly denied in his quest to emulate his legendary father Kostya and become unified world boxing champion after a loss to towering American Sebastian Fundora.
After suffering his first loss in 25 fights, Tszyu surrendered his WBO super welterweight belt and lost the opportunity to claim the vacant WBC belt at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and take his place among the sport’s elite.
Tszyu lost the fight via split decision, with the judges scoring the fight 116-112, 115-113, 112-116 in favor of Fundora.
The unfortunate Australian’s fight was derailed at the end of the second round when he collided with the 197cm Fundora’s elbow, opening a huge gash on his head.
Tim Tszyu was cut by an accidental elbow early in the fight with Fundora.
Some fans and experts believe the fight should have been stopped at that point, such as former world champion Billy Dib and former professional boxer Gabriel Rosado.
Some fans and experts believed he should have stopped soon after, like former world champion Billy Dib.
‘This is ridiculous. This fight needs to stop. The amount of blood lost is dangerous,” Dib posted on X.
Boxing commentator and presenter Ben Damon was also surprised it continued.
‘There is no point in having a doctor if they are not willing to stop a fight when a man has been hit by an axe. It’s amazing this didn’t stop at the end of 2,” he posted.
Former professional boxer Gabriel Rosado also felt that Tszyu was being wronged.
But Tszyu was gracious in defeat.
‘Look, I told you, I’m an old fighter from the past, whatever the circumstances. I couldn’t see it, but all the credit belongs to the man who won tonight,” Tszyu said.
‘These things happen. The push was on. I was swinging hard in the first few rounds and then ‘boom’, you’re completely blinded.
But look, this is boxing. This is part of sport and it happens.
“Congratulations to Fundora: he’s the new king at 154 (pounds).”
The world champion had dominated the early exchanges, putting his opponent at a disadvantage with some strong forehands.
Despite blood running down his face, the fight doctor cleared Tszyu to continue, but Fundora took advantage of the Australian’s lack of vision to level the score.
With both fighters covered in blood, with Fundora’s nose also dripping, the Australian continued to look for a way to end the battle early.
Fundora acted smartly by attempting to attack Tszyu’s head while the Sydney warrior, using his gloves to wipe the blood from his eyes, was unable to connect in his usual manner.
With Fundora moving forward, the doctor rechecked the cut at the start of the seventh round, but gave the green light to continue.
Both fighters were covered in blood for most of Sunday’s fight.
Fundora used his range well and managed to take the points decision over the Australian.
Like a gladiator, Tszyu continued to fight as he sought a knockout blow, but the flow of blood prevented him from stopping the Californian.
Fundora’s victory joins him with his younger sister Gabriela as world champion after she captured the IBF world flyweight title earlier this year.
“We have been praying for this moment for a long time,” Fundora said, adding that he was not surprised by Tszyu’s courage.
‘I am happy that Tim Tszyu gave me the opportunity and my dream has come true.
‘He is a world class fighter. He was world champion for a reason. The way I won my belt, it is an honor to share the ring and make history with it.”
Tszyu was attempting to have him and Kostya join Leon and Corey Spinks as the second father-son duo to become unified world boxing champions.
The imposing American thanked Tim Tszyu for giving him the opportunity
He was also looking to put together a mega fight against pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford or former unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr, with a $10 million paycheck on the table.
“Look, I’ll recover,” Tszyu said.
‘I still showed up, no matter what (injury I had), and I always bring the fight.
‘They gave me a week (to prepare), there are no excuses, but I will fight whoever and whenever.
Even Errol Spence, who’s here. I will fight him too.
Even Terrence Crawford, man. You want a good fight. Do you know who to call?
Tszyu’s defeat ended a miserable 24 hours for Australian boxers, with Liam Wilson and Michael Zerafa also losing their world title fights on a big weekend in the United States.